| The objective of a major in Asian Languages and Literatures is to develop advanced language skills and to provide an introduction to the literary and cultural traditions of China and Japan, from early times to the present day. The emphasis is on oral proficiency as well as literacy in either Chinese or Japanese. Upper-division classes develop analytical skills through the critical study of literary texts. |
| To foster an awareness and understanding of Asian cultures, departmental courses are often interdisciplinary in approach, introducing historical background, social, philisophical, and political issues, and other cultural concerns. Students are also encouraged to broaden their knowledge of China and Japan by taking courses in other disciplines in the Asian Studies program. Many students of Chinese and Japanese study for a semester or more in China and Japan; opportunities currently include programs in Nanjing and Taipei, Kyoto and Tokyo. A multimedia center, with state-of-the-art audio, computer, and video equipment and a growing film library, further enriches the study of Asian Languages, literatures, and cultures. |
| Training in the liberal arts is central to the major in Asian languages, developing as it does an understanding of cultures very different from the familiar environment of contemporary Western culture. Proficiency in an Asian language in increasingly as asset in the modern world. In recent years, graduates in Asian Languages and Literatures have gone on to careers in business, law, government, and higher education. |
| Language Laboratory. Students in elementary and intermediate language classes are expected to spend at least 45 minutes in the language laboratory each week. Instructions concerning registration and scheduling will be given during the first week of classes each semester. |
| Placement. Any entering student who has previously learned Chinese or Japanese and plans to study either language must take a placement examination. This includes students who have received credit for advanced placement in the language. |
| Oldenborg Center. All students may apply to live in the Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations, a coeducational residence hall on the Pomona campus. Residence sections in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish provide daily opportunities to practice and improve language skills. The only formal requirement for living in Oldenborg is one semester's study of a foreign language at the college level, or the equivalent. Further information about the Oldenborg program is available from the director. |
| Limitations on Enrollment. So far as practicable, the enrollment in Asian Languages courses will be limited. Courses taught in Chinese and Japanese will not normally exceed 18 students per section. |
Major RequirementsAll students who intend to major in Asian Languages and Literatures are required to participate in the Study Abroad Program and are encouraged to reside in Oldenborg Center for at least one year. |
Major Requirements for Chinese |
| 1. Eight upper-division courses, including Chinese 111a,b, 125, 125, 131, 145, 163, 165. |
| 2. Senior Project (192a,b), guided research on selected topics in each semester of the final year. |
Major Requirements for Japanese |
| 1. Eight upper-division courses, which must include 124, 125, 170, 174, and either 177 or 178 |
| 2. Senior Project (192a,b), guided research on selected topics in each semester of the final year. |
Minors in the Department of Asian Languages and Literatures |
| Requirements for the Chinese Minor: a minimum of six courses, normally Chinese 51b, 111a, 111b, 2 Chinese literature courses in English, and 1 further upper division course in Chinese. |
| Requirements for the Japanese Minor: a minimum of six courses, normally Japanese 51b, 111a, 111b, 2 Japanese literature courses in English, and 1 further upper division course in either English or Japanese. |
| If students place into 111a level or above, they will be required to complete a different configuration of six courses (to be approved by the department) in order to satisfy the requirements for the minor. |